Signature gathering machine



Oct. 16, 1934. R. E. ACKLEY SIGNATURE GATHERING MACHINE Filed March 17. 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet l t ffya.

" yiaf Oct. 16, 1934. R E, ACKLEY 1,977,369

S IGNATURE GATHERING MACHINE Filed March 17. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q Q I Oct. 16, 1934. R. E. ACKLEY SIGNATURE GATHERING MACHINE Filed March 17. 19:52 4 Sheets-She et s Oct. 16, 1934. R ACKLEY I SIGNATURE GATHERING MACHINE Filed March 17, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 V T 3 H: i a n fl .W J t El I, W EEW ELHH H T W @QY @QN 50110720 ffltkley 5 Patented Oct. re, 1934 UNITD STTES I 1,977,369 SEGNATURE GATHERING MACHINE poration of Illinois Application March 17, 1932, Serial No. 599,558

27 Claims.

My invention relates to signature gathering machines of the character, more particularly, in which the signatures to be gathered together to form the books are located in different piles along the machine and mechanism is provided. for gathering the signatures in succession and in proper order to form the books, my invention relating more particularly to the mechanism for withdrawing the signatures one by one from the piles thereof and delivering them into the proper position for producing the desired grouping of the signatures to form the books.

As machines of this character have hitherto been provided considerable difliculty has been experienced, especially when the machines have been operated rapidly, in properly positioning the signatures in superposed position, with the result that oftentimes one or more of the signatures of a group thereof would not be accurately alined with the other signatures of the group resulting in the production of a defective book.

The mechanism, which is in the form of gripper feed mechanism, for withdrawing the signatures commonly comprises a swinging arm pro- .vided with jaws, to grip the signatures, one of which is movable relative to the other thereof, and mechanism cooperating with the movable jaw to produce such relative movement. In the swinging of the arm to grip a signature the jaws are open and thereafter clamp the signature to feed the latter, in the return movement of the arm, to a support upon which the signatures are piled, the support having a stop surface engageable by the signatures for alining the latter. As the arm nears the limit of its return, delivery, movement the jaws open and the signature is released for delivery to said support.

As mechanism for this purpose has hitherto been provided, the release of the signature by the gripper-feed mechanism occurs while the arm is moving at such a speed that the signature forcibly strikes against the stop surface referred to causing the signature to rebound oftentimes resulting in misalignment of the signatures in (Cl. Will-54) to be supported, be as close as possible to said plane and be moving at the moment of release at the minimum speed to avoid rebound of the signature in engaging the stop surface to which the signature is delivered, the ideal condition to be attained being that of simultaneously and gently contacting the signature with its support and said stop surface.

My primary object is to minimize the defects as above set forth in signature-feeding mechanism, and to deliver the signatures more nearly in conformance with the ideal condition as above mentioned; and other objects as will appear from the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional View of a signature gathering machine embodying my invention, the section being taken at the irregular line 1-1 on Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the signature-gathering machine.

Figure 3 is a broken section taken at the line 3 on Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrow illustrating by full lines and dotted lines two extreme positions occupied by the mechanism for transferring the signatures from a pile thereof to assembly position with other signatures in the grouping of the signatures to form books.

Figure 4 is a front view of the mechanism of Fig. 3 viewing the latter from the right in this figure.

Figure 5 is an enlarged broken sectional view of the jaw-equipped portion of the mechanism of Fig. 3.

Figure 5 is a view in front elevation of the jaws of the signature-transferring mechanism above referred to.

Figure 6 is a view in side elevation of a modification of the jaw mechanism of the preceding figures showing the position assumed by the parts thereof when this mechanism occupies a position corresponding with the dotted position of the mechanism in Fig. 3.

Figure '7 is a similar view of the construction shown in Fig. 6 showing the position occupied by these parts when this mechanism assumes a position corresponding with the full line showing in Fig. 3; and

Figure 8, a bottom plan view of the structure of Figs. 6 and 7 with the parts positioned as shown in Fig. '7.

The particular machine shown, as to its general features, comprises a drive shaft 9 journaled in the frame 10 of the machine to extend lengthwise thereof and having drive connection (in a manner not shown but well known in the art) with an endless conveyor chain 11 extending along the front of the machine and provided at intervals with upwardly extending pins 12 forming pushers which operate to advance the signatures, as they are assembled, in succession, along the machine, to the mechanism (not shown) for bind ing the signatures together, the inner reach of the conveyor chain 11 traveling in a trough 18 the front wall 14 of which forms a stop against which the signatures abut when delivered to the trough, as hereinafter described, to be actuated by the conveyor chain 11.

As will be understood, the several piles of signatures to be assembled successively to form the books are located at different points along the length of the machine the locations of two adjacent ones of such piles being indicated at 15 and 16, the showing of the machine, by views in elevation, being fragmentary and thus not showing the points of location of all of the piles of signatures. The several piles of signatures, one pile of which is represented at 17, are located in holders, or magazines, 18 arranged at intervals along the back of the machine. The bottom plate of each holder, or magazine, for the signatures, is represented at 19 its forward end being of general :T-shape to provide laterally extending divergent arms one of which is shown at 20, the front of reach holder, or magazine, comprising a plate 21 spaced at its lower edge from the forward edge of the bottom plate 19 to provide an outlet for the withdrawal of the lowermost signature.

The feeding of the signatures from each pile thereof to the trough 13 in properly timed relation to the movement of the conveyor 11 and positioning them against the stop-wall 14,15 effected by gripper-feed mechanism co-operating with suction means which latter engage the underside of the lowermost signature drawing its forward edge downwardly through the outlet of the signature-magazine and positioning it to be gripped by the gripper-feed mechanism referred to.

The suction feeder referred to for co-operation with each signature magazine comprises suction cups 22 communicating with a pipe 23 which in .practice would be connected with an air suction (not shown), the pipe 23 being connected by a bracket 24 with a shaft 25.

The shaft 25, one of which is provided for each set of vacuum cups 22, is connected at its ends with members 26 having hinge connection at2'7 with a stationary part of the machine. The suction cups 22 are so disposed that when the structure just described is through the outlet of the signature-magazine.

The means shown for actuating the suction feeder mechanism comprises a link 28 pivotally connected at one end, as represented at 29, with the members 26 and at its opposite end with the upper end of an arm 30 rigidly secured to a rock shaft 31 journaled in the frame of the machine and having an arm 32 rigid therewith, the arm 32 being provided with a roller 33 hearing against the periphery of a cam 34 secured to the drive shaft 9.

The gripper feed mechanisms referred to, one of which is provided for feeding the signatures from each of the piles thereof above referred to to position them against the stop-wall 14, each comprises an arm 35 rigid on a rock shaft 36 journaled in the frame of the machine, the rock shaft being shown as formed of two longitudinally alined sections spaced apart (Fig. 2). The arm 35 is provided at its lower end with a rigid gripper jaw 3'7 having a depending lug 37* presenting a stop-surface 37 set back from the extremity of the jaw 37, the jaw 37 co-operating with a movable gripper jaw 38 shown as provided on the forward end of a framelike member 39 pivotally connected at a pin 40 with the lower end of the arm 35. The jaw 38 is associated with actuating mechanism hereinafter described and so constructed and arranged that when the gripperfeed mechanism is in the fully retracted position shown in Fig. 1 and by the full lines in 3, the jaw 38 with its stop surface 37 will occupy the position as shown therein relative to the jaw 37 and to the stop-wall 14 but when the member 39 is swung in clockwise direction on the pivot 40 by the mechanism referred to, in the swinging of the arm 35 from the full line position shown in Fig. 3 to the fully advanced position shown by dotted lines in this figure, the jaw 38 will move upwardly toward the jaw 37 and clamp therebetween the forward edge of the lowermost signa ture which latter has been moved by the suction means above referred to, into a position to be engaged by the gripper-feed mechanism, the forward edge of the signature abutting the stopsurface 37*.

The mechanism shown for rocking the arms 35 for the several gripper-feed mechanisms, comprises arms 41 and 42 secured to the adjacent ends of the shaft-sections 36 and connected together by a shaft 43 with which the upper end of a pitman 44 is pivotally connected, the connection between the pitman 44 and the arms 41 and 42 being preferably adjustable lengthwise of these arms as shown and the lower end of the pitman 44 being connected with a crank .45 formed as a part of the drive shaft 9.

The mechanism for actuating the movable jaw 38 comprises a link 46 pivoted at its lower end to the frame 39 and at its upper end, as represented at 4'7, to a lever 48 fulcrumed at 49 on a bracket 50 carried by the arm 35. The connection 4'7 is located at one side of the fulcrum 49 and at the other side thereof the lever 48 is pivoted, at 51,

to the lower end of a link 52 the upper end of,

which is pivoted to a pin 53 on a crank 54 secured to a shaft 55 journaled in stationary bracket arms one of which is shown at 56.

The shaft 55 is provided with a sleeve 57 rigid arm '70 provided at its end with a roller '71 which 1 bears against the periphery of a cam '72 fixed on the shaft 9. i

The cams 34 and '72 are so shaped and so angu-.

larly positioned about the shaft 31 that as the arm 35 swings to the dotted position shown in Fig. 3 the movable jaw 38 is swung upwardly to clamp the edge of the lowermost signature between it and the jaw 3'7 and as-the arm 35 swings toward the position shown by full lines in Fig. the lower jaw 38 will swing away from the jaw 37 and release from the signature which latter be comes positioned to be engaged and conveyed by the conveyor 11.

As will be noted, the pivot 40 for the movable jaw 88 is disposed at a point above the undersurface of the jaw 3'7, with the result that the jaw 38, in moving away from the signature clamped between the jaws 37 and 38 to release the signature, has a pronounced movement in the direction of the plane of the signature as well as a movement in the direction in which the jaws become separated. In other words, the jaw 38 moves in such a path that it is relatively rapidly withdrawn from a position in whichit is directly below the signature, and from which position the jaw 38 should be removed so as not to interfere with the descent of the signature to seated position in which it bears against the wall-portion 14., the tip of the jaw 38 in the particular construction shown moving out of obstructing position to the descending signature simultaneously with the movement of the stop surface 37 into substantial coincidence with the stop wall 14 as shown in Fig. 1 and the full lines in Fig. 3.

In the signature-feeding operation the stopsurface 37 serves the very useful function of retarding the movement of the signature in the decelerating movement of the arm as it nears the completion of its stroke to the position shown in Fig. 1 and by full lines in Fig. 3, after the jaw 88 has moved out of signature-clamping position, thus slowing down the movement of the signature to the movement of the arm 35 which is caused to be nil, upon the movement of the stop-surface 37 into substantial coincidence with the stop-wall 14. Consequently the signature does not strike the stop-wall 14 with suflicient force to cause it to rebound. This feature is of particular importance in a feeding-mechanism wherein the feeder-arm is actuated by a crank, or a similarly operating device, as in the particular construction shown, as the movement of the feeder-arm during the latter part of the feedstroke does not decelerate uniformly but the deceleration uniformly increases and thus the greater part of the deceleration of the feeder-arm is at the end of this stroke, resulting in the striking of the signature against the wall-portion 1a with rebounding force, unless provision, as for example as hereinabove described and in accordance with my invention, is made to slow down the speed of movement of the signature.

It will be noted in this connection that in structures of this character the movable jaw moves to open position before the signature reaches the wall-portion 14 and should move to a position in which it will not obstruct the descent of the signature by the time the signature reaches the wall portion 14. As the lower jaw 88 retracts lengthwise of the signature at a relatively rapid speed,

release of the grip of the jaws on thesignature andthe withdrawal of the movable jaw 38 from aposition directly beneath the signature, may be caused to be effected, as by the mechanism above described, during a relatively small portion only of the final movement of the arm 35 to the full line position shown in Fig. 3.

Furthermore, by providing for the movement of the jaw 38 as stated much less clearance between the upper jaw 87 and the plane of the support of the signature following delivery from gripper-feed mechanism, is required than in the case of a construction in which the pivoted support for the movable jaw 88 is located at, or approximately at, the elevation of the lower face of the upper jaw, and thus the signature may be carried by the gripper feed mechanism in a lower plane and thus closer to the previously delivered signatures.

As the signatures to be fed are often of different thicknesses for different books it is desirable that means be provided adapting the jaws??? and 38 for use with difierent thicknesses of signatures and this is provided for by constructing the link 46 of three sections, namely, a lower rod section 73 threaded at its upper end, an upper rod section '74 threaded at its lower end and a coupling sleeve into which the threaded ends of the sections 73 and '74 are adjustably screwed, the threads on the sections 73 and 74 extending in the same direction along these sections, namely, both threads being either right or left threads, and the thread on one of the sections 73 or 74. being finer than the thread on the other thereof. Thus by turning the sleeve 75 an exceedingly fine lengthwise adjustment of the link 46 to lengthen or shorten it may be effected.

It is also desirable to provide means whereby should more than one signature become engaged by the gripper-feed mechanism, damage to the mechanism will be prevented. This is provided for by forming the link 52 of an upper rod section 76, a lower rod section 77, an intermediate sleeve section 78, and a coil spring 79 in the sleeve section 77. The section 76 is screwed at its lower end into the upper end of the sleeve section 78, and the upper end of the rod section 77, which is slidable in the sleeve section '78, is provided with a head 80 which slides in the sleeve section and between which and a stopat the lower end of the sleeve section thespring '79, in compressed condition, is interposed. Thus the connection provided between the arm 54.- and the lever 48 is yieldable in the rocking of the arm 54: in clockwise direction, avoiding danger of damage to the mechanism should the gripper-feed clamp a plurality of signatures.

It is desirable in machines of this general character that means he provided whereby should the gripper-feed mechanism fail to engage a signature or engage and feed a plurality of the signa tures when only one is to be fed, the operation of the entire signature-gathering machine be automatically arrested and a signal displayed indicating the one of the gripper-reed mechanism which has failed to perform properly.

The'mechanism of the particular construction shown and provided for this purpose comprises for co-operation with the gripper-feed mechanisms, electric switches one of which is represented at 81 and which may be of the push button type operative when the plunger 82 thereof is pressed inwardly to interrupt the flow of current to the motor by which the shaft 9 is driven. Rotatably mounted in stationary brackets 83 are rock shafts 84 and secured to each of these shafts is anarm 85 bearing against the outer-end of the plunger 82 of the switch 81; associated therewith, the shafts 84 being provided with other arms 86 extending in the opposite direction and equipped with rollers 87. Rotatably mounted on the shaft 36, adjacent each swinging arm 35, is

an arm 88 which normally extends in the position shown in Fig. l in which it bears at its upper end upwardly against the roller 8'6 on the adjacent arm 86. The opposite end of the arm 88 contains a slot at the point indicated at 89 through which a rearwardly tapered block 90, pivoted at 91 to therear end or" the lever 48, is projected when the arm 3515 moved from the full line position shown in Fig. 3 to the dotted line position therein, the block 90 being thicker than the arm 35 thereby to present shoulders92 and 93.

In the event of the failure of delivery of a signature to the jaws 37 and 38 or the delivery there.- to of more than one signature, the lever 48 will occupy, in the projected position of the head 90 through the opening 89, such a position that one or the other of the shoulders 92 and 93 will interlock with a wall of the opening 89 and thus upon the return of the arm 35 to the full line position shown in Fig. 3 the arm 88 will berocked, in counterclockwise direction in Fig. 1 thus swinging the arm 86 upwardly and actuating the switch 81 to discontinue the operation of the motor which drives the shaft 9, the arm 88 thus assuming a position out of the normal. The operator is thus enabled to detect, at a glance, the one of the gripper-feed mechanisms which has either failed to deliver a signature or more than the number of signatures desired.

I The machine shown also comprises means operative to minimize the possibility of the delivcry of more than one signature at a time by-the' suction feed mechanism for engagement by the gripper-feed mechanism, these means comprising rearwardly projecting fingers 94 of angle shape which, in the rocking of the shaft 65 in. 1 clockwise direction in Fig. l, becomev projected between the lowermost signature and the one above it to separate the signatures should two of them be drawn down at the same time by the suction feed means.

Means are also provided-for insuringthe proper disengagement of the signature from the gripperfeed mechanism in the movement of the arm 35 to the position shown in Fig. 1, these means comprising spring fingers 95 extending in registration with slots 14 in the wall 14. The fingers 95 are carried by a rock shaft 96 journaled on the frame of the machine and operated by means'of a link 9'? pivotally connected at one end, as represented at 98, to a crank arm 99- rigid on the shaft 96 and at its opposite end to a crank arm 100. on

signature thus insuring the disengagement of the signature from the gripper-feed mechanism. The desired quick retraction of the movable jaw from the signature in the direction of the plane of the signature as above described also may be effected not only by varying the positioning of the pivot 40, of the construction-shown, relativeto the stationary jaw 37, within limits, but by providing other forms of mechanisms to accom-' plish this result; another form of mechanism suitable forthis purpose, and shown by way of example only, being illustrated in Figs. '6, 7 and 8 and of which the following is a description.

In this construction the jaw-equipped portion of the swinging arm of the'gripper-feed mechanism and corresponding with the arm 35' of the construction of the preceding figures, is represented at 101. The movable gripper jaw, represented at 102 and corresponding with the jaw 38, I

and provided for cooperation withthe stationary jaw represented at 103 and corresponding with the jaw 37, is caused to move substantially parallel with the gripper face of the jaw 103, the jaw 102 to this end being connected with the arm 101 by parallel links 104 and 105pivoted to the I arm 101 as indicated at 106 and 107 and to the jaw 102 at 108- and 109, the link 105 having an angularly disposed extension 110 at which it is pivotally connected, as indicated at 111, with the lower end of a link 112 corresponding with the link 46. The jaw 103 is providedwith a stop surface 103 corresponding to, and functioning as described of, the stop. surface 37 of the construction hereinbefore described.

It will thus be understood that the signature is released for unobstructed descent at a point close to the-signatures upon which it is to be superposed-and while the gripper-feed mechanism is moving at very slow speed, whereby the proper delivery of the signatures may be effected even when the machine is operated very rapidly.

While. I have illustrated and described certain particular embodiments of my invention, I do not wish to be understood as intending to limit it thereto as the same may be variously modified and altered and the invention embodied in other forms of structure without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What'I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: V

1; In a signature-gathering machine, the com bination of a support to which the signatures are to be delivered, and feeder means for delivering signatures to said support comprising a movable member, an upper jaw on said member and a lower jaw, between which jaws the signature is gripped, link means connecting said lower jaw with said member and extending crosswise of the ripping surfaces of said jaws, and means operating to move said lower jaw to signature releasingposition in the signature feeding movement of said feeder means.

2. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination of a support to which the signatures are to be delivered, and feeder means for delivering signatures to said support comprising a movable member, an upper jaw on said member and a lower jaw, between which jaws the signature is gripped,'means connecting said lower jaw to said member and extending crosswise of the gripping surfaces of said jaws for causing said lower jaw, when actuated relative to said upper jaw, to remain in substantially parallel relation to said upp'er'jaw, and means operating to move said lower jaw to signature releasing position in the signature-feeding movement of said feeder means.

3. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination of a support to which the signatures are to be delivered, and feeder means for delivering signatures to said support comprising a movable member, an upper jaw on said member and a lower'jaw, between which jaws the signature is gripped, links pivotally connected with said member and'with said lower jaw and extending crosswise of the gripping surfaces .of said jaws, and

means operating to move said lower jaw to signature releasing position in the signature feeding movement of said feeder means.

4. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination of a support to which the signatures are to-b'e delivered, and feeder means for delivering the signatures to said support comprising a 'swingably supported member, an upper jaw onsaid member and a lower jaw, between which jaws the signature is gripped, link means connecting said lower jaw to said member and extending crosswise of the gripping surfaces of said jaws, and means operating to move said lower jaw to signature releasing position in the signaturefeeding movement'of said feeder means.

5. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination of a support to which the signatures are to be delivered, said support having a stop portion to position the delivered signatures, and feeder means for delivering the signatures to said support and against said stop portion comprising a movable member adapted for to and fro movement, drive means for said member producing deceleration thereof adjacent the end of its delivery stroke, upper and lower jaws on said member and between which the signature is gripped, the lower one of said jaws being mov able relative to the upper jaw, a signature-decelerating stop surface located between said jaws and against which stop surface the signature abuts and operative during movement of said member to decelerate the signature in the open condition of the jaws, and means for moving said lower jaw relative to said upper jaw.

6. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination of a support to which the signatures are to be delivered, and feeder means for delivering the signatures to said support comprising a movable member adapted for to and fro movement,

.drive means for said member producing deceleration thereof adjacent the end of its delivery stroke, upper and lower jaws on said member and between which the signature is gripped, the lower one of said jaws being movable relative to the upper jaw, a signature-decelerating stop surface located between said jaws and against which stop surface the signature abuts and operative during movement of said member to decelerate the signature in the open condition of the jaws, and means for moving said lower jaw relative to said upperjaw, said lower jaw withdrawing to a position in which it, is removed from the path of descent of the signature, upon the conclusion of the feed stroke of said member.

7. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination of a support to which the signatures are to be delivered, said support having a stop portion to position the delivered signatures and feeder means for delivering the signatures to said support comprising a movable member adapted for to and fro movement, means for actuating said member, upper and lower jaws on said member and between which the signature is gripped, the lower one of said jaws being movable relative to the upper jaw, a signature-decelerating stop surface located between said jaws and against which stop surface the signature abuts and operative during movement of said member to decelerate the signature in the open condition of the jaws, and means for moving said lower jaw relative to said upper jaw, said memher-actuating means operating to cause said stop surface to become positioned substantially coincident with said stop portion upon the conclusion of the feed stroke of said member and said last-named means operating to cause said lower jaw to be withdrawn to a position in which it does not extend beyond said stop surface upon the conclusion of said feed stroke.

3. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination of a support to which the signatures are to be delivered, said support having a stop portion to position the delivered signatures, and feeder means for delivering the signatures to said support comprising a movable member adapted for to and fro movement, means for actuating said member, upper and lower jaws on said memher and between which the signature is gripped, the lower one of said jaws being movable relative -to the upper jaw, a signature-decelerating stop surface located between said jaws and against which stop surface the signature abuts and operative during movement of said member to decelerate the signature in the open condition of the jaws, and means for moving said lower jaw relative to said upper jaw, said member-actuating means operating to cause said step surface to become positioned substantially coincident with said stop portion upon the conclusion of the feed stroke of said member and said lower jaw having such pronounced movement in a direction lengthwise of the plane of the signature, toward the adjacent edge of the signature, in moving away from said upper jaw in the operation of said feeder means, that said lower jaw becomes withdrawn to position in which it is removed from the path of descent of the signature upon said stop surface reaching said position.

9. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination of a support to which the signatures are to be delivered, and feeder means for delivering the signatures to said support comprising a movable member adapted for to and fro movement, drive means for said member producing deceleration thereof adjacent the end of its delivery stroke, upper and lower jaws on said member and between which the signature is-gripped, the lower one of said jaws being movable relative to the upper jaw, a signature-decelerating stop surface located between said jaws and against which stop surface the signature abuts and operative during movement of said member to decelerate the signature in the open condition of the jaws, and means operating automatically during the movement of said movable member to move said lower jaw relative to said upper jaw.

10. In a signature-gathering machine, combination of a support to which the signatures are to be delivered, and feeder means for delivering the signatures to said support comprising a movable member adapted for to and fro movement, drive means for said member producing deceleration thereof adjacent the end of its delivery stroke, upper and lower jaws on said member and between which the signature is gripped, the lower one of said jaws being movable relative to the upper jaw, a signature-decelerating stop surface located between said jaws and against which stop surface the signature abuts and operative during movement of said member to decelerate the signature in the open condition of the jaws, and means operating during the movement of said movable member to move said lower jaw relative to said upper jaw, said lower jaw withdrawing to a position in which it is removed from the path of descent of the signature, upon the conclusion of the feed stroke of said member.

11. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination of a support to which the signatures are to be delivered, said support having a stop portion to position the delivered signatures, and feeder means for delivering the signatures to said support comprising a movable member adapted for to and fro movement, means for actuating said member, upper and lower jaws on said memher and between which the signature is gripped, the lower one of said jaws being movable relative to the upper jaw, a signature-decelerating stop surface located between said jaws and against which stop surface the signature abuts and op.- erative during movement of said member to decelerate the signature in the open condition of the jaws, and means operating during the movement of said movable member to move said lower jaw relative to said upper jaw, said member-actuthe ram

ating means operating to cause said stop surface to become positioned substantially coincident with said stop portion upon the conclusion of the feed stroke of said member and said last-named means withdrawing said lower jaw to a position in which it is removed from the path of descent of the signature upon the conclusion of said feed stroke.

12. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination of a support to which they signatures are to be delivered, said support having a stop portion to position the delivered signatures, and feeder means for delivering the signatures to said support comprising a movable member adapted for to and fro movement, means for actuating said member, upper and lower jaws on said member and between which the signature is gripped, the lower one of said jaws being movable relative to the upperjaw, a signature-decelerating stop surface located between said jaws and against which stop surface the signature abuts and up erative during movement of said member to decelerate the signature in the open condition of the jaws, and means operating during the movement of said movable member to move said lower jaw relative to said upper jaw, said member-actuating means operating to cause said stop surface to become positioned substantially coincident with said stop portion upon the conclusion of the feed stroke of said member and said lower jaw having such pronounced movement in a di rection lengthwise of the plane of the signature, toward the adjacent edge of the signature, in moving away from said upper jaw in the operation of said feeder means, that said lower jaw support and against said stop portion comprising drive means for a swingably supported member, said member producing deceleration thereof adjacent the end of its delivery stroke, upper and lowerjaws on said member and between which the signature is gripped, the lower one of said jaws being movable relative to the upper jaw, a signature-decelerating stop surface located between said jaws and against which stop surface the signature abuts and operative during move- ;ment of said member to decelerate the signature in the open condition of the jaws, and means for moving said lower jaw relative to said upper jaw.

14. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination of a support to whi h the signatures are to be delivered, and feeder means for delivermg the signatures to said support comprising a swingably supported member, drive means for said member producing deceleration thereof adjacent the end of its delivery stroke, upper and lower jaws on said member and between which the signature is gripped, the lower one of said jaws being movable relative to the upper jaw, a signature-decelerating stop surface located between said jaws and against which stop surface the signature abuts and operative during movement of said member to decelerate the signature in the open condition of the jaws, and means for moving said lower jaw relative to said upper jaw, said lower jaw withdrawing to a position in which I it is removed from the path of descent of the signature, upon the conclusion of the feed stroke of said member.

15. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination of a support to which the signatures are to be delivered, said support having a stop portion to position the delivered signatures, and feeder means for delivering the signatures to said support comprising a swingably supported member, means for actuating said member, upper and lower jaws on said member and between which the signature is gripped, the lower one of said jaws being movable relative to the upper jaw, a signature-decelerating stop surface located between said jaws and against which stop surface the signature abuts and operative during movement of said member to decelerate the signature in the open condition of the jaws, and means for moving said lower jaw relative to said upper jaw, said member-actuating means operating to cause said stop surface to become positioned substan tially coincident with said stop portion upon the conclusion of the feed stroke of said member and said last-named means operating to cause said lower jaw to be withdrawn to a position in which it does not extend beyond said stop surface upon the conclusion of said feed stroke.

16. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination of a support to which the signatures are to be delivered, said support having a stop portion to position the delivered signatures, and feeder means for delivering the signatures to said support comprising a swingably supported member, means for actuating said member, upper and lower jaws on said member and between which the signature is gripped,.the lower one of said jaws being movable relative to the upper jaw, a signature-decelerating stop surface located between said jaws and against which stop surface the signature abuts and operative during movement of said member to decelerate the signature in the open condition of the jaws, and means for moving said lower jaw relative to said upper jaw, said member-actuating means operating tocause said stop surface to become positioned substantially coincident with said stop portion upon the conclusion of the feed stroke of said member and said lower jaw having such pronounced movement in a direction lengthwise of the plane of the signature, toward the adjacent edge of the signature, in moving away from said upper jaw in the operation of said feeder means, that said lower jaw becomes withdrawn to a position in which it is removed from the path of descent of the signature upon said stop surface reaching said position.

1'7. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination of a support to which the signatures are to be delivered, said support having a stop portion to position the delivered signatures, and

feeder means for delivering the signatures to said e support and against said stop portion comprising a swingably supported member, drive means for said member producing deceleration thereof adjacent the end of its delivery stroke, upper and lower jaws on said member and between which the i signature is gripped, the lower one of said jaws being movable relative to the upper jaw, a signature-decelerating stop surface located between said jaws and against which stop surface the signature abuts and operative during movement of newsc w ated by said drive member for moving said lower jaw relative to said upper jaw.

18. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination ofa support to which the signatures are to be delivered, and feeder means for delivering the signatures to said support comprising a swingably supported member, drive means for said member producing deceleration thereof adjacent the end of its delivery stroke, upper and lower jaws on said member and between which the signature is gripped, the lower one of the jaws being movable relative to the upper jaw, a signaturedecelerating stop surface located between said jaws and against which stop surface the signature abuts and operating during movement of said member to decelerate the signature in the open condition of the jaws, a drive member, means operated by said drive member for swinging said first-named member and jaws, and means operated by said drive member for moving said lower jaw relative to said upper jaw, said lower jaw withdrawing to a position in which it is removed from the path of descent of the signature, upon the conclusion of the feed stroke of said firstnazned member.

19. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination of a support to which the signatures are to be delivered, said support having a stop portion to position the delivered signatures, and feeder means for delivering the signatures to said support comprising a swingably supported member, upper and lower jaws on said member and etween which the signature is gripped, the lower one of said jaws being movable relative to the upper jaw, a signature-decelerating stop surface located between said jaws and against which stop surface the signature abuts and operative during movement of said member to decelerate the signature in the open condition of the jaws, a drive member, means operated by said drive member for swinging said first-named member and jaws, and operated by said drive member for moving said lower jaw relative to said upper jaw, said secondmam d means operating to cause said step surface become positioned substantially coincident with said stop portion upon the conclusion of the feed stroke of said first-named member and said lower jaw withdrawing to a position in which it is removed from the path of descent of the signature, upon the conclusion of feed stroke.

20. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination of a support to which the signatures are to be delivered, said support having a stop portion to position the delivered signatures, and feeder means for delivering the signatures to said support comprising a swingably supported member, upper and lower jaws on said member and between which the signature is gripped, the lower one of said jaws being movable relative to the upper jaw, a signature-decelerating stop surface located between said jaws and against which stop surface the signature abuts and operative during movement of said member to decelerate the signature in the open condition of the jaws, a drive member, means operated by said drive member for swinging said first-named member and jaws, and means operated by said drive member for moving said lower jaw relative to said upper jaw, said second-named means operating to cause said stop surface to become positioned substantially coincident with said stop portion upon the conclusion of the feed stroke of said first-named member and said lower jaw having such pronounced movement in a direction lengthwise of the plane of the signature, toward the adjacent edge of the signature, in moving away from said upper jaw in the operation of said feeder means, that said lower jaw becomes withdrawn to a position in which it is removed from the path of descent of the signature upon said stop surface reaching said position.

21. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination of a support to which the signatures are to be delivered, and feeder means for de1ivering the signatures to said support comprising a movable member adapted for to and fro movement, drive means for said member producing deceleration thereof adjacent the end of its delivery stroke, upper and lower jaws on said member and between which the signature is gripped, the lower one of said jaws being movable relative to the upper jaw, a signature-decelerating stop surface located between said jaws and against which stop surface the signature abuts and operative during movement of said member to decelerate the signature in the open condition of the jaws, and means for moving said lower jaw relative to said upper jaw.

22. In a signature gathering machine, the combination of a support to which the signatures are to be delivered, and feeder means for delivering the signatures to said support comprising a member adapted for to and fro movement, upper and lower jaws on said member and between which the signature is gripped, the lower one of said jaws being movable, relative to the upper jaw, a stop surface on said member located between said jaws and fixed in position with respect to the upper jaw against which stop surface the signature abuts, and means for moving said lower jaw relative to said upper jaw, said support having a stop portion at the end of the path along which the signatures are fed by said feeder means.

23. In a signature gathering machine, the combination of a support to which the signatures are to be delivered, and feeder means for delivering the signatures to said support comprising a member adapted for to and fro movement, drive means for said member producing deceleration thereof adjacent the end of its delivery stroke, upper and lower jaws on said member and between which the signature is gripped, the lower one of said jaws being movable relative to the upper jaw, a stop surface on said member adapted to maintain the signature in a substantially fixed relation to the stationary jaw in the decelerating movement of said member in the open condition of the jaws, and means for moving said lower jaw relative to said upper jaw.

24. Signature feeding means comprising a member adapted for to and fro movement, drive means for said member producing deceleration thereof adjacent the end of its delivery stroke, upper and lower jaws on said member and between which the signature is gripped, one of said jaws being movable, a stop surface on said member positioned to be engaged by a signature located between said jaws and operating in the deceleration of said member as the latter nears the limit of its feed movement to decelerate the signature in the open condition of the jaws, and means for moving said movable jaw relative to the other jaw.

25. Signature feeding means comprising a member adapted for to and fro movement, drive means for said member producing deceleration thereof adjacent the end of its delivery stroke, means on said member for releasably engaging the signature to feed the latter, and means operating upon release of the signature to decelerate the latter in the decelerating movement of said member as the latter nears the limit of its feed stroke.

26. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination of a support to which, the signatures are to be delivered, and feeder means for delivering signatures to said support comprising a movable member, an upper jaw on said member and a lower jaw, between which jaws the signature is gripped, parallel links pivotally connected with said member and with said lower jaw, and means operating to move said lower jaw to signature releasing position in the signature feeding movement of said feeder means. 

